Wire fence



(No Model.)

B. D. BARLING.

WIRE FENCE.

Patented Sept. 18, 1894.

IVJTMZ'SSES NITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

ELLIOTT D. BARLING, OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN.

WI R E FE N o E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 526,368, dated September 18, 1894.

pp n filed May 12,1894. Serial K01511331- (No model.)

clare the following to be a full, clear, and eX-; act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wire fences, and consists in a certain construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully set forth, the essenretaining them yieldingly in place so as tov compensate for the expansion and contraction thereof, which object is attained by the construction and arrangement of parts, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a section of my improved fence. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in perspective of the vertical end shaftor rod which carries the series of ratchet drums upon which the Wires are wound, and one of the springs in which said rod is supported. Fig. 3 is an enlarged in- Verted perspective of the ratchet mechanism. Fig. 4; is a central vertical section through the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the stay showing its engagement with the longitudinal wires. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same.

Referring to theletters of reference, A designates the end post, and A one of the intermediate posts upon which the longitudinal wires B of the fence are freely supported. These longitudinal wires are strungin any desired number, and the requisite distance apart, being firmly secured to an anchornost ot shownra ueens.aeslstha pas'ingthre'ugtthe post'A, and winding upon their respective drums G which are rotatively inounted upon a vertical rod D standing adjacent to said post and coupled therewith by the elliptical springs E which are interposed between said post and rod and through the meeting endsa of which, said rod passes, as shown in Fig. 2.

Formed integral with the drum 0 is a ratchet-disk 0 having a series of radial slots 0 opening through the periphery thereof and provided with a beveled edge, as shown at c in Fig. 3. i

F designates a plate which isseated upon the ratchet disk 0', having a central opening through which the hub b of said disk extends and in which it is journaled. One end of said plate is provided with 2. depending hook d which engages freely over the edge of the disk 0, to retain said parts in their proper relative positions. Depending from the under face of said plate is a detent-lug e having a beveled face 6'. (See Fig. 3.) Said detent is adaptedto engage in the slots in the disk 0 to prevent said disk from turning backward, but, through themeeting beveled faces of said detent and slots, permitting a free forward rotation of said disk in unwinding the wire upon the drum 0, the plate F rising to permit said detent to ride out of each succeeding slot as the ratchet-disk is rotated. Extending from said plate F is a right angle arm F provided with a slot f in the depending end thereof through which the Wire B passes and which guides said wire onto the drum 0 and also prevents said plate from turning with the disk 0'. There is one of these ratchet devices mounted on the vertical rod D, for each one of the line wires of the fence. Said wires after passing through the. post A and the slot f in the arm of the plate F, are wound around the drum 0 being the lateral wires, a wrench is placed upon the shank G of the drum upon which said wire 1s wound, andsaid drum held so that the plate F may be raised to disengage the detent e from the slots in the ratchet disk, when said drum will be free to turn backward to unwind the wire therefrom, being again socured by dropping said detent into the slots of the disk 0', as will be readily understood.

By reason of the interposition of the springs E between the rod D carrying the ratchet mechanism and the post A, provision is made for the free expansion and contraction of the longitudinal wires of the fence and the maintenance of a uniform tension thereon.

The stay wires H for supporting the longi-' tudinal wires, are composed of two strands of wire twisted together in which diametrically opposed loops 0 are formed in pairs and at such distance apart as to correspond with the line wires of the fence which they are to support. These loops in the stays are formed open so as to freely receive the line wires whichlie across them, enabling said stays to be readily and quickly placed upon the wires of the fence, when said loops are slightly twisted so as to tightly grip said lateral wires, as shown at the top of Figs. 5 and 6, thus firmly supporting each of the longitudinal wires of the fence and securely fastening said stays against lateral movement. If it is desired to remove the stays from the fence, the loops 0 may be opened to disengage them from the line Wires, when they may be easily removed enabling the fence to be taken down and again set up.

It will be understood that this improved fence may be made of any number of wires arranged at any suitable distance apart, the stays being made to conform to any predetermined distance between the line wires.

To more firmly support the end post A it is provided with a suitable brace A, as shown in Fig. 1.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a fence, the combination of the longitudinal wires, the end post through which said wires pass, the vertical rod adjacent thereto, the ratchet carrying drums journaled upon said rod and upon which said wires are wound, and the elliptical springs supporting said rod and bearing against said post.

2. In a fence, the combination of the longitudinal wires, the end post throughwhich said wires pass, the rotative drums mounted on a rod and having a ratchet disk, the nonrotative plate located above said disk and having a detent that engages therewith, and the elliptical springs supporting said rod and bearing'against said post.

3. In a fence, the combination of the line wires, the vertical stays consisting of two strands of wire twisted together and having formed thereon diametrically opposed loops extending in opposite directions in the same plane forming a seat or notch within the loops in which said line wires lie, said loops being twisted or sprung together to confine said line wires therein.

4. In a fence, the combination with the longitudinal wire and vertical stay, the rotative drum upon which said wire is wound having an integral ratchet disk, the non-rotative plate located above said disk, said plate having a depending hook that embraces the periphery of said disk and a detent that engages the ratchet openings therein, said plate also having the slotted arm that receives and guides the wire to said drum, and means for rotating said drum, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELLIOTT D. BARLING. Witnesses:

J. E. SAWYER, H. K. BACON. 

